Pavie Macquin 2012

Another wine made by the superstar guru Nicolas Thienpont, this well-situated property of 37 acres on the high clay/limestone plateau in St.-Emilion has produced a blend of 84 % Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. A masculine, virile style of wine with an inky deep purple color, lots of crème de cassis and crushed rock and high tannin. This is thick and powerful, with a layered mouthfeel, good purity, earthiness and spice. Forget it for 4-5 years and drink if over the following two decades.
Drink: 2019 - 2040

The Pavie Macquin is a blend of 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon picked between 13th and 18th October at 30hl/ha. It has a gorgeous, sumptuous bouquet with pure dark cherries, Hoi Sin and oyster shells that is extremely pure and beautifully defined. The palate has a cashmere texture, wonderful finesse and very well judged acidity. It is a stunning wine from Pavie-Macquin in a difficult vintage. This would be one of my top picks on the Right Bank. Tasted April 2013.

There is a purity and directness to this wine with blueberry, sliced-mushroom and floral character. Full body, firm tannins and a long and intense finish. Racy.

Plump but soft raspberry, blackberry and red cherry fruit, with a mouthwatering salinity to the tannins that reflects its limestone terroir. Tasted as part of a vertical at the estate recently, and again for this report, it shows a relatively fruit-forward ability to please, with butterscotch and saffron streaks on the finish. 80% new oak.

Deep dark crimson with purple rim. Rich black cherry aroma, inviting. Some sweet oak toastiness but not too much because there's a meaty edge too. Really moreish. Bright and lively. Generous, full fruited and rounded but not in the least flabby. Lots of red fruit and fine supple tannin. Energy and length. Just enough freshness and a nice chewy finish. Pleasure without pretension. (JH)